Bent wire puzzle



Seplt. 11949. A. J. GORE 2,431,108

BENT WIRE PUZ ZLE Filed March 18, 1946 2 Shets-Sheet 1 A T TOR/VEYS Patented Sept. 6, 1949 BENT WIRE PUZZLE Albert J. Gore, Washington, D. 0., assignor of forty-five per cent to Philip Larner Gore Application March 18, 1946, Serial No. 655,196

Claims. 1

My invention consists in a new and useful improvement in puzzles of that type which comprises wire members which may be interengagecl to present the problem of their disengagement as the solution of the puzzle. In devices of this kind, it is quite common to provide two members for interengagement, each of which is formed into a plurality of convolutions of a single wire, and one member has its ends united while the other member is so fabricated as to provide a gap between the ends of the wire of which it is composed, so that one member is a closed element and the other member is an open element in the combination.

The peculiarly novel features of my improved puzzle are the relative proportions of the closed and open members, the peculiar relation and character of the convolutions at their ends, and the form and relative positions of the ends of the open member.

While I have illustrated in the drawings and have hereinafter fully described one specific embodiment of my invention, it is to be distinctly understood that I do not consider my invention limited to said embodiment but refer for its scope and understanding to the following description and claims appended thereto:

In the drawings, wherein the same reference characters represent the same parts in the several views:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation and Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the closed member;

Fig. 3 is a front elevation and Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the open member;

Fig. 5 is a front view of the closed member, as in Fig. l, and a side view of the open member, as in Fig. 4, the members being in one interengaged position;

Fig. 6 is a similar view of the same members in a second interengaged position;

Fig. 7 is a similar view of the same members in a third interengaged position;

Fig. 8 is a side elevation of the open member and a cornerwise view ofthe closed member in a fourth interengaged position; and

Fig. 9 is a View similar to Figs. 5, 6 and 7 of the members in, a fifth interengaged position.

As illustrated in the drawings, my improved device consists in a closed member A and an open member B, each one formed of a single wire, circular in cross-section, the gauge of the two wires being the same. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the member A has straight portions l and 2 joined at their upper ends by the spiral portion 3 comprising three semi-circular parts 3-a, 3 l

and 3--c, whereof 3-a and 3c, which are spaced apart to form a throat T somewhat wider than the gauge of the wire (Fig. 2) form the upper half, and 3b forms the lower half of the circle 3:r (Fig. 1). The portions I and 2 diverge and merge at their lower ends into semi-circular parts la and 2a respectively. It will be noted (Fig. 1) that while the parts Ia l and 2a have radii of the same length, they are not concentric due to the divergence of the portions I and 2, the centers of the parts I-a. and 2-0, being symmetrically spaced on either side of the vertical axis of the member A. It will also be noted (Fig. 2) that the portions I and 2 diverge also in the plane at right angles to the plane of Fig. 1. As clearly shown in Fig. 2, the parts I-a. and 2-a are disposed in intersecting vertical planes so that the tongues Ib and 2-1), which extend upwardly from the parts I ,-a and 2a respectively, somewhat overlap the lower ends of the portions l and 2. It will be noted that the relation of the tongueslb and 2b to the portions I and 2 is such that in the plane of Fig. 1 the joints formed by I, 2-b and Z, Ib are of -a thickness equal to twice the gauge of the wire, and in the plane of Fig. 2 the thickness of the joints is only about 1 the gauge. It will also be noted that at the point where the parts I-a and 2-0. cross the vertical axis of the member A the vertical diameter of the joint is that of the gauge. The contacting surfaces of the portions I and 2, parts la and 2a, and tongues Ib and 2b are permanently united as by solder or any other suitable medium, thus making the member A the closed member of the combination.

As shown in Figs. .3 and 4, the member B has the straight portions II and I2 joined at their upper ends by the spiral portion I3 comprising three parts I3--a, I3-b and I3-c, whereof IS-a and I3c, which are spaced apart to form a throat T of substantially the same width as the throat I' of the member A, form the upper half and part I3b forms the lower half of an approximately circular coil |3--a:, the diameter of which is equal to the diameter of the circle 3-:r formed by the spiral portion 3 at the upper end of member A. The portions II and I2 are approximately parallel and merge at their lower ends into the co-axial similarly curved parts I I-a and l2-a respectively. their centers lying in the vertical axis of the member B. It will be noted (Fig. 4) that the portions II and I2 diverge in the plane at right angles. to the plane of Fig. 3. As clearly shown in Fig. 4, the parts I I--a and I2-a are 59 disposed that their longitudinal axes lie in the divergent planes of the longitudinal axes of the portions H and I2 respectively, thereby forming the throat T" which, due to the divergence of the portions II and I2 is approximately twice the width of the throat T, thus making the member B the open member of the combination.

Fromthe foreg oing description of the structure of the members A and B, it will seen that the members can be interengaged, moved into and out of a variety of relative positions and disengaged by passing their straight and curved portions through the throats T, T and T". There will now be described a methodby which the members may be interengaged, brQ'llghtinto several relative positions shown in Figs. 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, and then disengaged. In this "method, the members are interengaged by the introduction of the open member B into the closed member A at the lower end'oi theme nber A (Fig, and are disengaged by removal of member B from member A atth'e -11pper, end of member AfiFig. 1). It is obvious that the interengagement, movement to the illustrated positions and disengagement can be efi'ected reversely vijz,interengagement at the upper end and disengagement at the lower end of memberA by effecting the steps of the q i l Hold member vertical in position ,shown in Fig. 1. Hold member B horizontal. Pass part I la over and part 112% under parts 1a and 2-0; at the vertical axis of member A, 1-11 and 2a passing tnr ug'n throat 'I" of member 1B. Pass portion I through throatTT Swing member B downwardly into vertical position, parts I a and 2'-;a being passed through rifng fl "3n:, the members being interengaged as shown in Fig. 5. U v

Raise member B toward left, portion l passing through ring I Moveparts 'J 3 "ja and 1' 3 'c through throat T 'of member bringing them into ring 3-402, anamfe iber 1 3 into vertical position, the members A and B being then intrengaged as shown in Fig. 6. i H 7' Swine memb r A i h e was. P'O' fiQ through throat 'Tfoi fmi *3. Move member 13 upwardly to left until it is horizontal. Pass part l3 -b through throat T oi member "A. pass part 3b through throat "I" of member Move member B upwardly to right until it is vertical, the members A and B being then interengaged asshownin Fig. 7. 1

The above-described 'niovemen'ts whereby the members A and .B are intenienga"ge'd "as "shown in Figs. 5, 6 and? aresuc cessive'ste the'rfrethod of interen'gaging themfat thebpttom of member A and i e a net att e ine b r A- I will now describe -a movemehtjwhb by the members .A and B are fbfiought firom their positions of 'interengagem ent 10 in Fig. 7 to interengagement shown in 18, This movement is not a step toward disengagement of the members A 'and B, and i's described and illustrated to show one of the numerous positions of interengagement which presentth'e problem of disengaging the members arid B-.

Move member l 3 upwar dly through 80: 001- tion passing between portion 'an'dpart 3 -12 of member A, vp'art iiia wedg'i'ng upwardly bejtween parts 3 -'a, and f3 --c of 'rireniberA, and part I 3' -a,passi ng thr ough ring :I' 1a;,'a; bout parts 3-a and 3c, 'the members A and B then being t n 'ed a vw fie- From the foregoing itis I L ions that by 're'-- versing the last described movement the members '4 A and B are returned to their positions as shown in Fig. 7.

Swing member B slightly to pass portion I through throat T", and move member B upwardly through 180, the members A and B then being interengaged as shown in Fig. 9.

Move member A to right through Pass parts 3-a and 3--c through throat T, along portion Ii, through throat T" and past part I la to disengage members A and B.

7 Having described my invention, what I claim 1s:

1. A puzzle comprising a pair of link members having loops at both ends each of which consists of a single piece of wire, the two pieces of wire being stifi enough to resist bending, one of said members having a spiral portion and two side portions forming extensions of the spiral portion, said side portions being looped and united at their ends, the other of said members having a spiral portion and two side portions forming extensions oi said last mentioned spiral portion, and symmetrical arcuate extensions from said last mentioned side portions, respectively, forming loops disposed in the planes of the last mentioned side portions'so as to provide a throat between them. I v v .2. A puzzle comprising a pair of link members having loops at bothend's each of which consists of a single piece of stiiiwire, the two pieces of wire being of approximately the same gauge, one of said members having aspiral portion and two side portions forming extensions "or the spiral portion and united at their ends, the other of said members having a spiral portion and two side portionsforming 'extensionsof said last mentioned spiralp'ortio'n, and symmetrical mutually 'arcuate extensions from said last men'- tioned side portions, respectively, forming loops disposed in the planes of the last mentioned side portions transverse to the 'ax'is of said spiral portion, the first member being provided by its spiral portion with a throat at one end, and the second member being pr'ovided by its spiral portion with a threat at one end, and by said .arcuate extensions with a throat at its other end between said loops, said throats "of said second member having 'a common 'axisfof sy'r nmet'ry normal to the axis of said spiral portionoi "said second member, and each .of said throats having a width greater than the said gauge. 7 v t V 3. A puzzle compr'ising a pair of link members, each of which conisists of a single piece of stiff wire, one of said members having a spiral portion defining a transverse bore therethrough, two side portions forming extensions of the spiral portion,and arcuate extensions from the sid portions, respectively, overlapping and united to form a closed figure,v the other of said members having a spiral portion defining a transverse bore therethrough, the widthof said bore being equalto the width ofthe bore of the first member, and its length on its major axis being no less than its width, two side portions forming extensions of said last mentioned spiral portion,

and symmetrical arcuate extensions from said last mentioned side portions, respectively, forming "loops disposed in the planes of said last mentioned side portions, so as to provide a throat between them permitting passageof said closed member through said throat in certain positions only.

4. .Apuzzle comprising a pair of link members, each of which consistsoi ,a single piece of stiff wire, the two pieces or Wire being of approximately the same gauge, one of said members having at one end a spiral portion defining a bore therethrough, two straight portions extending divergently from the spiral portion, and convergent arcuate extensions from the straight portions, respectively, overlapping and united by a suitable means, the other of said members having at one end a spiral portion defining a bore therethrough, two straight portions extending divergently from said last mentioned spiral portion, and symmetrical arcuate extensions from said last mentioned straight portions forming loops disposed in the divergent planes of said last mentioned straight portions respectively, the first member being provided by its spiral portion with a throat at one end, and the second member being provided by its spiral portion with a throat at one end, and by its symmetrical extensions with a throat at its other end between said loops, said throats of said second member having a common axis of symmetry normal to the axis of said spiral portion of said second member, and each of said throats having a width greater than the said gauge.

5. A puzzle comprising a pair of link members, each of which consists of a single piece of wire, the two pieces of wire being of approximately the same gauge, one of said members having a spiral portion comprising three successive 180 bends, the middle bend forming one part and the lateral bends formin the other part of a closed figure, and the lateral bends being relatively spaced apart to form a throat therebetween which is wider than said gauge, two side portions forming extensions of the spiral portion, and arcuate extensions from the side portions mutually overlapping and united by suitable means, the second of said members having a spiral portion comprising three successive 180 bends, the middle bend forming one part and the lateral bends formin the other part of a closed figure having a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the closed figure formed by the spiral portion of the first member, the lateral bends of said second member being relatively spaced apart to form a throat therebetween which is wider than said gauge, two side portions diverging from said last mentioned spiral portion, and symmetrical arcuat extensions extending from said last mentioned side portions and forming loops disposed in their divergent planes, respectively, said loop extensions being relatively spaced apart to provide a throat wider than said gauge, the length of said first member being substantially greater than the length of said second member, whereby said second member can be passed transversely through said first member when said spiral portions thereof interengage with each other.

ALBERT J. GORE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,351,384 Hoffer Aug. 31, 1920 

